Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released retail sales data
for September 2010 and data on manufacturing and trade inventories and sales for
August 2010. Both retail sales and business inventories rose 0.6 percent,
exceeding private-sector expectations. Monthly sales for retail and food
services in September increased 7.3 percent from September 2009, and business
inventories in August rose 4.7 percent from August 2009.

“Retails sales have shown strong growth over the last
three months,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “This rising trend
signals that consumer spending is expanding and that the recovery is broadening.
The outlook for sustained growth remains positive, and this administration
remains focused on continuing the economic turnaround that has now seen four
straight quarters of GDP growth and nine straight months in which the private
sector has added jobs.” Statement | Report on retail sales | Report on manufacturing and trade

Commerce's U.S. Census Bureau today released retail
sales for
April 2010. Retail sales increased 0.4 percent, following a large
2.1‑percent
rise in March. Sales of building materials and garden equipment and
supplies
jumped 6.9 percent following a similarly large gain in March.
Private-sector
analysts had expected a small decline of 0.1 percent in total sales in
April.

“The
rising trend in retail sales indicates that
consumer spending continues to grow, underlining increasing confidence
in the
recovery,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “The gains in
consumer
spending are yet another indication that the outlook for sustained
economic
growth is improving.”

The Commerce Department's U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for January 2010. Retail sales increased 0.5 percent compared with an expected rise of 0.3 percent. Retail sales rose 7.6 percent at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, following a gain of 6.4 percent in the third quarter. (More) (Release)

The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau released retail sales data for December 2009. Retail sales declined 0.3 percent, following strong monthly gains in October and November. Sales rose 7.0 percent at an annual rate in the fourth quarter, following a gain of 6.4 percent in the third quarter. “While the overall trend is in the right direction, today’s retail sales data show that we have more work to do,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. (More) (Report)

The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family to reflect and give thanks. At this time of year, the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Census Bureau presents holiday-related facts and figures from its data collection, including the details about mail, retail sales, toys, trees and decorations and much more. The Census Bureau projects the nation’s population at 308 million as we ring in the New Year 2010. Happy Holidays from the U.S. Department of Commerce! (More)

The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau released retail sales data for November 2009. Retail sales rose 1.3 percent, compared with an expected rise of 0.7 percent. Motor vehicle sales rose 1.6 percent, the second advance following the September drop related to the end of the Cash-For-Clunkers program. Sales excluding the volatile motor vehicle and gasoline components rose 0.6 percent, the fourth consecutive advance. (More) (Release)

The Commerce Department’s U.S. Bureau of the Census released data on new residential construction in August 2009. Permits rose 2.7 percent in August and have increased 16.3 percent from their low in April, after plummeting a total of 78.0 percent between September 2005 and April 2009. Starts have followed a similar pattern, increasing 1.5 percent in August. “The upturn in housing activity and the recent gains in retail sales and industrial production demonstrate considerable progress toward recovery. More stimulus spending in the coming months should help spread growth to other sectors of the economy,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. (More) (Release)